New contact algorithms for nonlinear beam finite elements and their application to stent graft modeling

There has been great progress over the last few years regarding the finite element modeling of fiber-based materials and structureswith the help of novel nonlinear beam models and beam contact algorithms. In this seminar, geometrically exact beam finite elements based on the shear-free Kirchhoff-Love theory as well as three new contact formulations for beam-to-beam contact, beam-to-solid mesh tying and beam-to-solid contact will be presented. A special emphasis is put on explaining how these beam models can beneficially be used for the biomedical application scenario of stent graft modeling in endovascular repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).